Armenian Authorities Arrest Archbishop on Terrorism Charges
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent opposition leader, was arrested in Armenia for allegedly plotting against the government, amid widespread searches and evidence recovery.
Overview
- Armenian security services arrested Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan on terrorism charges, accusing him of plotting against the government.
- Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle movement, has called for Prime Minister Pashinyan's resignation.
- His arrest follows extensive raids on opposition activists' homes, resulting in 14 arrests in total.
- Authorities allege that Galstanyan planned bombings and arson attacks against the government.
- The Investigative Committee conducted over 90 searches, recovering firearms and ammunition as evidence against the accused.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the arrest of Archbishop Galstanyan as a significant political event, emphasizing government accusations of terrorism and plotting against the state. The narrative suggests a crackdown on dissent, highlighting the archbishop's opposition role and the broader implications for political freedom in Armenia, reflecting skepticism towards government motives.
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a top religious leader in Armenia, was arrested by the country's security services on terrorism charges.
Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle opposition movement, has called for the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Galstanyan has been accused by the Investigative Committee of planning bombings and arson attacks.
The Investigative Committee conducted over 90 searches and found firearms and ammunition as evidence.
Articles (3)
Center (2)
"…Armenia's security services arrested one of the country’s top religious leaders on terrorism charges Wednesday and accused him of plotting to overthrow the government, the second arrest in a week of a prominent political opponent."
ABC News·6d·"…The decision to turn over the villages followed a lightning military campaign in September 2023, in which Azerbaijan’s military forced ethnic Armenian separatists in the Karabakh region to capitulate."
Associated Press·6d·FAQ
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan is a senior church official of the Armenian Apostolic Church who leads the Diocese of Tavush. He has become a prominent opposition leader and founded the 'Tavush for the Homeland' movement, opposing the government's concessions to Azerbaijan and calling for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation.
He is accused by Armenian authorities of plotting bombings and arson attacks against the government. His arrest followed extensive raids that recovered firearms and ammunition as evidence linked to these alleged plans.
Galstanyan opposed the Armenian government's decision to cede four villages in the Tavush region to Azerbaijan as part of peace negotiations in 2024. He viewed this as a capitulation and mobilized protests against Prime Minister Pashinyan’s administration, calling for his resignation.
Yes, in May 2024, he declared his readiness to lead a new interim government and become Prime Minister to address the country's crisis. However, his candidacy faces legal challenges due to his dual citizenship and constitutional barriers in Armenia.
The ruling party, Civil Contract, has stated that Galstanyan has no legal grounds for becoming Prime Minister, emphasizing the constitutional barrier due to his Canadian citizenship. They dismiss his political ambitions as legally untenable.
History
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